LONDON - GOLD prices rose above $1,400 (S$1,787) an ounce on Monday for the first time in nearly seven weeks as violence flared in north Africa and the Middle East, boosting interest in the precious metal as a haven from risk. Tensions have spread across the regions from Egypt and Tunisia, where protests have unseated leaders over the past month or so, threatening the grip of long-entrenched autocratic leaders elsewhere. Spot gold rose as high as US$1,406.80 an ounce and was bid at US$1,406.40 an ounce at 1633 GMT (12.33am S'pore time), against US$1,388.58 late in New York on Friday. U.S. gold futures for April delivery rose US$18.90 an ounce to US$1,407.50. Gold priced in euros hit its highest since Jan 18 at 1,028.94 euros (S$1,797) an ounce, and sterling-priced gold its highest since Jan 14 at 866.65 (S$1,795) pounds an ounce. 'The unrest and the fear in these countries...